Kids' Fishing Day attracts over 1,500 youngsters

Thursday, May 22, 2008By Lindsay Reed

On Saturday, 1,509 youngsters visited Roaring River State Park to enjoy the warm temperatures and participate in the park's annual spring Kids' Fishing Day.

Kids learn to clean fish during annual event
Instructors Josh Roller and Brad Farwell, Roaring River State Park hatchery staff members, drew a large crowd to their fish cleaning classes, which were held in the morning and afternoon during Kids' Fishing Day on May 17. Roller cleaned a large trout and several other fish while students watched.
~Democrat Photo

"The event turned out really great," said Jerry Dean, hatchery manager. "No one got sick, and I didn't hear of any hook injuries.

"The conservation agents didn't have to give out any tickets in the Kids' Fishing Day area," said Dean, "Although our numbers were a little down from last year, it was a fantastic event, and we had more prizes than we have ever had."

Kids under the age of 15, who visited the park on Saturday, were awarded a free trout fishing tag and an assortment of prizes, including Roaring River fishing caps that were donated by Jim Rogers Concessions.

Jennifer Logan, Cassville Wal-Mart Supercenter assistant manager, took photos of all youngsters who landed their first fish or reeled in a fish that weighed more than 1.75 pounds. First Fish applications were completed by 70 young anglers.

"Jennifer took more than 88 photos," said Dean. "We had 18 big fish pictures."

In addition to a free day of trout fishing, youngsters were able to participate in over 30 different outdoor education classes.

This year, 504 kids attended at least two classes and were rewarded with a free fishing tag that can be used at Roaring River anytime before the fall kids' fishing event. Youngsters who attended two Kids' Fishing Day classes were also able to select from a variety of prizes, including T-shirts, books and toys.

Kids who attended more than two classes had the opportunity to enter a drawing for larger prizes. At the end of the day, volunteers awarded camp stoves, Dutch ovens, bicycles, knives and fishing equipment to over 200 children.

"Steve Allgood, a volunteer from Joplin, talked to Academy Sports and Outdoors, which has never donated before," said Dean. "This year, they donated $1,000 in goods that we either used or gave away during the event."

Fly rods and reels were awarded to five youngsters who entered a drawing by attending at least one fly fishing class.

Alex Nuwcumb, from Bartlesville, Okla., and Tyson Hallman, from Scammon, Kan., won fly fishing rods and reels donated by David Waugh. Charles Stock, of Mid-West Flies, donated fly fishing rods and reels, which were won by Valerie Ray, of Wheaton, and Logan Evans, of Wichita, Kan.

Chase Golubski, of Pierce City, won a fly fishing rod and reel donated by the MAKO Fly Fishing Club. MAKO also donated a fly tying kit, which was awarded to Luke Rauch, of Springfield.

An Alpine bow was also donated by Chris Berry, a representative of Alpine Bows who taught archery classes during the kids' fishing event. The bow was awarded to Caleb Keen, of Rogers, Ark.

Trophies for the largest fish and stringers were also awarded during the closing ceremonies. Kayleb Galaway, of Centerton, Kan., won the largest fish competition in the boys' division with a 6.82-pound catch. Colton Holmberg, of Hutchison, Kan., won the boys' division largest stringer competition with 15.4 pounds of fish.

Leann Maloney, from Bolivar, won the largest fish competition in the girls' division with a 4.76-pound trout. Maloney also won the largest stringer competition in the girls' division with a 10.46-pound stringer.

Youngsters who reeled in fish that weighed over three pounds were entered into a drawing for a free mount.

Eli Chamberlain, from Rogers, Ark., won a free mount donated by Mark Jones of Visions Taxidermy in Gateway, Ark. Chamberlain reeled in a trout that weighed 3.4 pounds.

Over 75 volunteers attended Kids' Fishing Day to assist young anglers. Nearly two dozen volunteers were representatives of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Other volunteers were from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Neosho National Fish Hatchery and MAKO Fly Fishing Club.

Volunteers who have participated in Kids' Fishing Day for over 10 years were recognized during the closing ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's event will be featured on an episode of Bass Pro Shops' Next Generation television show later this summer. A camera crew videotaped youngsters fishing and participating in outdoor classes throughout the day on Saturday.